Connection apparatus, connecting method, and storage medium for storing computer-readable program having connecting functions

ABSTRACT

A connection apparatus is disclosed which includes a connection source and a connection destination. The connection source includes information about a predetermined connection destination; and a connecting element for making a connection request to the predetermined connection destination based on the information about the connection destination and, given a permission, for automatically connecting to the connection destination. The predetermined connection destination includes a receiving element for receiving the connection request from the connection source, a judging element which, upon interpreting the connection request, judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connection source or not, and a permission granting element which, if the judging element judges the connection source to be a predetermined connection source, then grants connection permission to the connection source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection apparatus and aconnecting method for automatically connecting a connection source to aconnection destination, as well as a computer-readable program storagemedium which stores a program offering connecting functions forestablishing such connection.

[0002] Galloping developments in the information industry in recentyears have led to widespread use of networks such as the Internet fordata communication. Such networks are connected to numerous electronicdevices including personal computers, data terminals and servercomputers. Generally, users gain access to the Internet through apreviously contracted Information service provider. Conventionally,before hooking up to the Internet, users must make necessary settings ontheir PCs (all on their own) to establish connection to the Internetservice provider.

[0003] The setting procedure involved is often so arcane and bafflingthat the general user with little specialized knowledge in the field hashad a hard time completing the required settings. Because users with nosuch special knowledge are steadily on the increase, there is a growingneed for suitable means allowing the users to handle network-readyelectronic devices with ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connectionapparatus and a connecting method for readily connecting a connectionsource to a connection destination without the need for specialsettings, as well as a computer-readable program storage medium whichstores a program with connecting functions capable of readilyestablishing such connection.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a connection apparatus forautomatically connecting a connection source to a predeterminedconnection destination, the connection source, including: informationabout the predetermined connection destination; and a connecting elementfor making a connection request to the predetermined connectiondestination based on the information about the predetermined connectiondestination and, given a permission, for automatically connecting to theconnection destination; and the predetermined connection destination,including: a receiving element for receiving the connection request fromthe connection source; a judging element which, upon interpreting theconnection request, judges whether the connection source is apredetermined connection source or not; and a permission grantingelement which, if the judging element judges the connection source to bea predetermined connection source, grants connection permission to theconnection source.

[0006] With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source can make a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination can interpret therequest and judges whether the connection source is a predeterminedconnection source or not. If the connection source is judged to be apredetermined connection source by the judging element, then connectionpermission can be granted to the connection source. This allows theconnection source to hook up automatically to the predeterminedconnection destination.

[0007] With this configuration, the connection source may be connectedto the connection destination without intervention of an Internetservice provider being contracted.

[0008] This preferred structure supplements the functions of the firstaspect of the invention with another function allowing the connectionsource to hook up automatically to the predetermined connectiondestination without intervention of any Internet service provider undercontract.

[0009] In a second preferred structure of the connection apparatusaccording to the first aspect of the invention, the connection requestmay constitute a request for connection to an Internet service provideras well as a request for connection to the receiving means.

[0010] With this configuration, the functions of the first aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the receiving element of the connectiondestination. The connection source can thus connect automatically firstto the Internet service provider and then to the predeterminedconnection destination.

[0011] In a third preferred structure of the connection apparatusaccording to the first aspect of the invention, the connection sourcemay be a printer.

[0012] This preferred structure supplements the functions of the firstaspect of the invention with another function allowing the connectionsource serving as the printer to hook up automatically to the connectiondestination.

[0013] In a fourth preferred structure of the inventive connectionapparatus derived from the third preferred structure thereof, theprinter may be connected to the predetermined connection destinationusing a trigger signal issued upon initial power-up.

[0014] With this configuration, the inventive connection apparatus withanother function allows the printer to hook up automatically to theconnection destination upon initial power-up with no specific settingsmade.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provideda connecting method for automatically connecting a connection source toa predetermined connection destination, the method comprising the stepsof: setting information about the predetermined connection destinationto the connection source in advance; causing the connection source tomake a connection request to the predetermined connection destinationbased on the information about the predetermined connection destination;causing the predetermined connection destination to receive theconnection request from the connection source in order to judge whetherthe connection source is a predetermined connection source or not uponinterpreting the connection request; if the connection source is judgedto be a predetermined connection source by the judging means, thengranting connection permission to the connection source; and connectingthe connection source to the predetermined connection destination.

[0016] With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source makes a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination interprets the requestand judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connectionsource or not. If the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source in the judging step, then connection permission can begranted to the connection source. This allows the connection source tohook up automatically to the predetermined connection destination.

[0017] In a first preferred variation of the connecting method accordingto the second aspect of the invention, the connection source may beconnected to the connection destination without intervention of anInternet service provider being contracted.

[0018] With this configuration, the functions of the second aspect ofthe invention with another function allow the connection source to hookup automatically to the predetermined connection destination withoutintervention of any Internet service provider under contract.

[0019] In a second preferred variation of the connecting methodaccording to the second aspect of the invention, the connection requestmay constitute a request for connection to an Internet service provideras well as a request for connection to the connection destination.

[0020] With this configuration, the functions of the second aspect ofthe invention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the connection destination. The connection sourcecan thus connect automatically first to the Internet service providerand then to the predetermined connection destination.

[0021] In a third preferred variation of the connecting method accordingto the second aspect of the invention, the connection source may be aprinter.

[0022] This preferred variation supplements the functions of the secondaspect of the invention with another function allowing the user whoacquired the printer as the connection source to establish connectionautomatically to the connection destination.

[0023] In a fourth preferred variation of the inventive connectingmethod derived from the third preferred variation thereof, the printermay be connected to the predetermined connection destination using atrigger signal issued upon initial power-up.

[0024] With this configuration, the functions of the third preferredvariation of the inventive connecting method with another function allowthe printer to hook up automatically to the connection destination uponinitial power-up, with no specific settings required.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer-readable program storage medium which stores a program withconnecting functions comprising the steps of: setting information aboutthe predetermined connection destination to the connection source inadvance; causing the connection source to make a connection request tothe predetermined connection destination based on the information aboutthe predetermined connection destination; causing the predeterminedconnection destination to receive the connection request from theconnection source in order to judge whether the connection source is apredetermined connection source or not upon interpreting the connectionrequest; if the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source by the judging means, then granting connectionpermission to the connection source; and connecting the connectionsource to the predetermined connection destination.

[0026] With this configuration, the information about the connectiondestination can be set to the connection source beforehand. Based onthat information, the connection source makes a connection request tothe connection destination. Upon receipt of the connection request fromthe connection source, the connection destination interprets the requestand judges whether the connection source is a predetermined connectionsource. If the connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source in the judging step, then connection permission can begranted to the connection source. This allows the connection source tohook up automatically to the predetermined connection destination.

[0027] In a first preferred variation of the computer-readable programstorage medium according to the third aspect of the invention, theconnection source may be connected to the connection destination withoutintervention of an Internet service provider being contracted.

[0028] With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to hook upautomatically to the predetermined connection destination withoutintervention of any Internet service provider under contract.

[0029] In a second preferred variation of the computer-readable programstorage medium according to the third aspect of the invention, theconnection request may constitute a request for connection to anInternet service provider as well as a request for connection to theconnection destination.

[0030] With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the connection source to makefirst a connection request to an Internet service provider and then aconnection request to the connection destination. The connection sourcecan thus connect automatically first to the Internet service providerand then to the predetermined connection destination.

[0031] In a third preferred variation of the computer-readable programstorage medium according to the third aspect of the invention, theconnection source may be a printer.

[0032] With this configuration, the functions of the third aspect of theinvention with another function allow the user who acquired the printeras the connection source to establish connection automatically to theconnection destination.

[0033] In a fourth preferred variation of the inventivecomputer-readable program storage medium derived from the thirdpreferred variation thereof, the printer may be connected to thepredetermined connection destination using a trigger signal issued uponinitial power-up.

[0034] With this configuration, the functions of the third preferredvariation of the inventive storage medium with another function allowthe printer to hook up automatically to the connection destination uponinitial power-up with no specific settings made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a connection systempracticed as one preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another connection systemshown in FIG. 1 according to the invention;

[0037]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of aprinter shown in FIG. 1;

[0038]FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a software module structure ofa printer and a service center server;

[0039]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps outlining the workings of theconnection system in FIG. 1 and others; and

[0040]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a typical screen displayed on aprinter display unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Although the embodiments, examples or variations of thisinvention to be discussed below are subject to various technicallypreferred constraints, they are not limitative of the invention unlessspecifically noted otherwise.

[0043]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a connection system 100practiced as one preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0044] The connection system 100 (connection apparatus) has a servicecenter server 23 (connection destination) connected physically toprinters 5 (connection sources) via a network 90. The printers 5 mayalternatively be connected to the network 90 via repeaters such asrooters, not shown. The printers 5 and the service center server 23 areconnected in a manner permitting data communication therebetween.

[0045] There should be at least one printer 5 purchased by a user. Theprinter 5 operates illustratively on the ink jet principle and iscapable of printing on suitable sheets of paper. That means the printer5 needs to be replenished from time to time with ink for the amountconsumed printing on paper sheets.

[0046] The service center server 23 is a server computer installed at aservice center that offers services such as maintenance of printers 5.The service center server 23 provides users of printers 5 with menus ofservice offerings made up of various maintenance preferences. Theofferings include collecting a used-up ink cartridge or head assembly(integrating an ink cartridge with an ink jet head) of the printer 5 andreplacing it with a new one.

[0047] The network 90 may illustratively be a LAN (Local Area Network)or WAN (Wide Area Network); obviously it may also be what is known as anintranet. The connection system 100, as shown in FIG. 2, may constitutea connection system 100 a (connection apparatus) having printers 5hooked up to the Internet 101 via an Internet service provider 103. TheInternet 101 in FIG. 2 is one example of the network 90 in FIG. 1.

[0048]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of theprinter 5 in FIG. 1. The printer 5 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory)61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 63, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 67, ahead drive unit 73, a head assembly 7, a head detection unit 75, aprinter control unit 77, a printer mechanism 10, a printer diagnosticunit 79, a communication control unit 69, a modem 71, a display unit 76,and an interface 65.

[0049] The RAM 61 is a storage medium to and from which data may bewritten and read, serving as a working area of the CPU 67. The ROM 63 isa read-only storage medium whose contents are used by the CPU 67. TheROM 63 may alternatively be of a type of memory allowing its contents tobe updated. The CPU 67 is connected to the RAM 61, ROM 63, head driveunit 73, head detection unit 75, printer control unit 77, printerdiagnostic unit 79, communication control unit 69, display unit 76, andinterface 65. The CPU 67 controls these components and acquires datafrom them.

[0050] The head drive unit 73 controls operation of the head assembly 7under control of the CPU 67. The head assembly 7 is made up of an inkcartridge and an ink-jet head cartridge. The head detection unit 75 iscapable of obtaining relevant information from the head assembly 7 thatis mounted removably on the printer 5. Illustratively, the headdetection unit 75 detects mounting of the head assembly 7 onto theprinter 5.

[0051] The printer control unit 77 controls operation of the printermechanism 10 under control of the CPU 67. The printer mechanism 10represents the whole printing mechanisms in the printer 5. The status ofthe printer mechanism 10 is diagnosed by the printer diagnostic unit 79.

[0052] The communication control unit 69 controls the modem 71,operating under control of the CPU 67. The communication control unit 69controls communications of the printer 5. The modem 71 serves to convertdigital data from the communication control unit 69 into analog data.Alternatively, the communication control unit 69 may perform itscommunication using digital data in a LAN connection setup withoutrecourse to analog data arrangements. In such a case, the modem 71 needsto be replaced by a suitable interface such as a network card. Thedisplay unit 76 displays necessary images and characters under controlof the CPU 67. The interface 65 may illustratively permit connectionwith a Centronics interface printer cable or a LAN cable in a networkenvironment in order to communicate image or character data to beprinted.

[0053]FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a software module structure ofthe printer 5 and a server center server 23. In FIG. 4, the network 90is shown simplified. The software structure may have part or all of itscomponent modules combined or integrated as desired.

[0054] In the printer 5, the CPU 67 of FIG. 3 uses the RAM 61 as a workarea in which to run software. The printer 5 in FIG. 4 illustrativelycomprises a printer information table 127, a connection module 131(connecting means), a reception module 123, and a setting module 125.

[0055] The printer information table 127 contains a printer ID(identification) assigned uniquely to each printer 5 as a connectionsource; connection destination information (information about apredetermined connection destination) representing the service centerserver 23 as the connection destination; menus of maintenance offerings;and connecting method information. The printer ID allows the servercenter server 23 to identify each of the multiple printers 5 configured.The connection destination information may illustratively be a telephonenumber of a telephone line (including a cellular phone line) or an IP(Internet Protocol) address used by the service center server 23. Themenus of maintenance offerings show what kinds of maintenance servicesthe printer 5 may receive from the service center server 23. The printerinformation table 127 is stored illustratively in the ROM 63 of FIG. 3.

[0056] Upon detecting a trigger signal TG from a power supply 113, theconnection module 131 acquires query information 109 including theprinter ID, connection destination information and menus of maintenanceofferings from the printer information table 127, and transmits theacquired information automatically to the service center server 23 overthe network 90. That is, the connection module 131 makes a connectionrequest to the service center server 23.

[0057] The reception module 123 receives response information 111 fromthe service center server 23. The setting module 125 may write contentsof the response information 111 to the printer information table 127.The contents of the response information 111 illustratively make up newmaintenance detail information that may be received by the printer 5.The contents appear as menus of maintenance offerings on the displayunit 76 when the printer 5 is turned on next time.

[0058] The service center server 23 has an automatic response module 119(receiving means), a matching module 117 (judging means, permissiongranting means), a customer management table 115, and a transmissionmodule 121 (permission granting means). The customer management table115 illustratively has printer IDs stored therein which are used toidentify the printers that have been sold and are subject tomaintenance. Typically, the automatic response module 119 remainscontinuously active, receiving and responding to the query information109 from the printers 5. The matching module 117 searches the customermanagement table 115 for a printer ID, i.e., a search key included inthe query information 119 received by the automatic response module 119.

[0059] By making the search, the matching module 117 judges whetherthere is any matching printer ID. If no matching printer ID is found,the matching module 117 generates response information 111 that willreject connection with the printer 5 in question. If the matchingprinter ID is found in the table, the matching module 117 acquires themaintenance offerings from the customer management table 115 andgenerates response information 111 accordingly. In that case, theresponse information 111 supplements the connection source informationwith the connection destination information indicative of the servicecenter server 23. Based on the connection destination informationincluded in the response information 111, the transmission module 121transmits the response information 111 to the applicable printer 5.

[0060] The structure of the connection system 100 or 100 a has beendescribed so far. Discussed below by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 ishow the system establishes its connection.

[0061]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps outlining the workings of theconnection system 100 and others. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of atypical screen displayed on the display unit 76 of the printer 5.

[0062] Setting Steps

[0063] In the service center server 23 of FIG. 4, the customermanagement table 115 retains beforehand printer IDs and maintenanceinformation applicable to each of the printers 5 purchased and installedby users. The printer IDs are held in the customer management table 115so as to identify the printers 5 that may receive maintenance from theservice center. The service center thus provides maintenance services toonly those users that are in possession of the suitably identifiedprinters 5.

[0064] Connection Requesting Steps

[0065] In step ST1 of FIG. 5, the user installs the printer 5 and turnson its power source. In step St2, a screen shown in FIG. 6 appears onthe display unit 76 of the printer 5. The screen primarily shows menusof connectable lines and available services. These details are displayedon the basis of the connecting method information and maintenanceofferings contained in the printer information table 127 of FIG. 4. Morespecifically, under the heading “Available Services” come subtitleindications “Online Automatic Maintenance,” “Online Manual Maintenance,”“Offline Maintenance” and “No Maintenance Needed.”

[0066] The “online automatic maintenance” works in such a manner thatwhen, say, ink is judged to have been exhausted in the ink cartridge ofthe head assembly 7 in the printer 5 of FIG. 3, a new ink cartridge orhead assembly 7 is delivered automatically from the service center tothe printer site for replenishment. If this maintenance service isselected, one of two options may be picked by the user: “always-onconnection to the Internet,” or “automatic connection to the Internetupon contact” (for lack of ink) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0067] The “always-on connection to the Internet” signifies that theprinter 5 is always connected actively to the service center 23 througha perpetual hookup to the Internet that is one example of the network 90in FIG. 4. In this setup, the printer 5 may communicate with the servicecenter server 23 whenever the ink level drops below a predeterminedthreshold. The “automatic connection to the Internet upon contact,” onthe other hand, signifies that the printer 5 hooks up automatically tothe service center server 23 through the Internet when ink is judgedexhausted. In this case, the printer 5 contacts the service centerserver 23 only when the ink level is low. Since connection isestablished only when necessary, connection charges can be reduced.

[0068] The “online manual maintenance” allows the user to place ordersmanually for a new ink cartridge or head assembly 7 with the servercenter illustratively when the ink level in the cartridge is judged tobe low in the head assembly 7 of the printer 5 in FIG. 3. If thismaintenance service is selected, one of four options may be picked:“always-on connection to the Internet,” “automatic connection to theInternet upon contact” (for lack of ink), “manual connection to theInternet as needed,” or “telephone line connection.”

[0069] The “always-on connection to the Internet” and the “automaticconnection to the Internet upon contact” were discussed above and thuswill not be described further. The “manual connection to the Internet asneeded” signifies that the user will connect the printer 5 manually tothe service center server 23 through the Internet when ink is judgedexhausted. This type of connection allows the printer 5 to hook up tothe service center server 23 only when ink is exhausted and needs to bereplenished. Since connection is established only when necessary,connection charges can be reduced.

[0070] The “telephone line connection” signifies that the user will getthe printer 5 to directly call a dedicated telephone number of theservice center server 23 at the service center without utilizing thenetwork 90 such as the Internet. In this case, both the printer 5 andthe service center server 23 should be capable of connecting to oneanother without intervention of the network 90 typified by the Internet.This type of connection permits direct hookup of the printer 5 to theservice center server 23 without the user having to sign a contract withan Internet service provider. This allows the printer 5 to be connectedand serviced the same way as described above without the intermediary.With this type of connection adopted, the user need only install theprinter 5 before receiving maintenance services from the service center.

[0071] The “offline maintenance” signifies that when, say, ink is judgedexhausted in the ink cartridge of the head assembly 7 in the printer 5of FIG. 3, the user will place orders for a new ink cartridge or headassembly 7 with the service center by telephone or like means inaccordance with the menu display on the display unit 76. Where thismaintenance service is selected, the user opts for “placing of ordersover telephone, etc.” as shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] The “no maintenance needed” alternative signifies that when, say,the ink level is judged low in the ink cartridge of the head assembly 7in the printer 5 of FIG. 3, the user will not place orders for a new inkcartridge or head assembly 7 with the service center by telephone or thelike according to the menu display on the display unit 76. That is, theuser will directly call the service center at his or her own discretionwhen placing orders for maintenance purposes.

[0073] In step ST3 of FIG. 5, the display unit 76 of the printer 5displays an explanation of maintenance details and charge schedules. Thecharges apply to the maintenance services that the user may utilize whenreplenishing the printer 5 with ink. In step ST4 of FIG. 5, the userdecides on the desired maintenance service and charge schedules for theprinter 5.

[0074] In step ST5 of FIG. 5, the user is prompted to check thealternative methods of connecting the printer 5 to the service centerserver 23. Specifically, the display unit 76 of the printer 5 displays“Always-on Connection to the Internet,” “Automatic Connection to theInternet,” “Manual Connection to the Internet,” “Use Telephone LineOnly,” and “No Connection” as shown in FIG. 6. The specifics of thesepreferences have been discussed above and thus will not be describedfurther.

[0075] In step ST6 of FIG. 5, the display unit 76 displays either accesspoints of the service center server 23 if connection is to beestablished without recourse to any Internet service provider 103 inFIG. 1, or access points of the Internet service provider 103 ifconnection between the printer 5 and the service center server 23 shouldpass through the Internet service provider 103. These access points areindicated on the basis of the connection destination information held inthe printer information table 127 of FIG. 4. The access point displayallows the user to connect the printer 5 to an appropriate access pointdepending on the permanent or roaming location of the printer.

[0076] In step ST7 of FIG. 5, the user selects one of the access points.In step ST8 of FIG. 5, a telephone line hooked up to a public switchedtelephone network is connected to a suitable port of the printer 5. Thetelephone line may alternatively be connected earlier to the printer 5.

[0077] In step ST9 of FIG. 5, the printer 5 allows the connection module131 of FIG. 4 to connect in a desired manner (e.g., automatically) tothe service center server 23. With connection established, the printer 5transmits query information 109 to the service center server 23. Thequery information 109 is made up of the printer ID and user informationsuch as the selected maintenance service and the telephone number of theconnection source. The printer 5 of FIG. 4 in turn acquires responseinformation 111 from the service center server 23. The printer 5 is nowready to run (in step ST10).

[0078] The above-described preferred embodiment eliminates the need forthe user to make complicated settings and allows the printer 5 to hookup easily to the service center server 23. Because the printer 5 can beconnected automatically to the service center server 23, the printer 5may illustratively receive maintenance services whereby ink is consumedin cost-efficient fashion. The automated hookup also allows the printer5 to be serviced in a more environment-friendly manner.

[0079] The embodiment above is only an example and not limitative of theinvention. Illustratively, a program or programs constituting the seriesof steps described above may be installed into a computer for execution,carried by suitable program storage media such as package mediaincluding floppy disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-Read Only Memories) andDVDs (Digital Versatile Discs); or semiconductor memories, magneticdisks and the like where the programs are stored temporarily orpermanently. Such program storage media may accommodate the programsthat have been delivered through wired or wireless communication mediasuch as local area networks, the Internet, and digital satellitebroadcasting networks, as well as through diverse communicationinterfaces such as routers and modems. The printers 5 and the servicecenter server 23 discussed above may each have a drive unit at leastcapable of reading data from any one of these program storage media.

[0080] Although the foregoing embodiment was shown having the userselect the method of connecting the printer 5 to the service centerserver 23, this is not limitative of the invention. Alternatively,automatic connection alone may be offered and the user's interventioneliminated.

[0081] Any of the component blocks or modules making up theabove-described embodiment may be omitted in part or may be combined ina manner different from what was discussed above.

[0082] In brief, as described, the invention provides a connectionapparatus, a connecting method and a storage medium for storing acomputer-readable program having connecting functions whereby aconnection source is connected easily to a connection destination withno complicated settings required.

[0083] As many apparently different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection apparatus for automaticallyconnecting a connection source to a predetermined connectiondestination; wherein said connection source comprises: information aboutsaid predetermined connection destination; and connecting means formaking a connection request to said predetermined connection destinationbased on said information about said predetermined connectiondestination and, given a permission, for automatically connecting tosaid connection destination; and wherein said predetermined connectiondestination comprises: receiving means for receiving said connectionrequest from said connection source; judging means which, uponinterpreting said connection request, judges whether said connectionsource is a predetermined connection source or not; and permissiongranting means which, if said judging means judges said connectionsource to be a predetermined connection source, grants connectionpermission to said connection source.
 2. A connection apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said connection source is connected tosaid connection destination without intervention of an Internet serviceprovider being contracted.
 3. A connection apparatus according to claim1, wherein said connection request constitutes a request for connectionto an Internet service provider as well as a request for connection tosaid receiving means.
 4. A connection apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said connection source is a printer.
 5. A connection apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein said printer is connected to saidpredetermined connection destination using a trigger signal issued uponinitial power-up.
 6. A connecting method for automatically connecting aconnection source to a predetermined connection destination, the methodcomprising the steps of: setting information about said predeterminedconnection destination to said connection source in advance; causingsaid connection source to make a connection request to saidpredetermined connection destination based on said information aboutsaid predetermined connection destination; causing said predeterminedconnection destination to receive said connection request from saidconnection source in order to judge whether said connection source is apredetermined connection source or not upon interpreting said connectionrequest; if said connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source by said judging means, then granting connectionpermission to said connection source; and connecting said connectionsource to said predetermined connection destination.
 7. A connectingmethod according to claim 6, wherein said connection source is connectedto said connection destination without intervention of an Internetservice provider being contracted.
 8. A connecting method according toclaim 6, wherein said connection request constitutes a request forconnection to an Internet service provider as well as a request forconnection to said connection destination.
 9. A connecting methodaccording to claim 6, wherein said connection source is a printer.
 10. Aconnecting method according to claim 9, wherein said printer isconnected to said predetermined connection destination using a triggersignal issued upon initial power-up.
 11. A computer-readable programstorage medium used for a connecting method for automatically connectinga connection source to a predetermined connection destination, whichstores a program with connecting functions, said program comprising thesteps of: setting information about said predetermined connectiondestination to said connection source in advance; causing saidconnection source to make a connection request to said predeterminedconnection destination based on said information about saidpredetermined connection destination; causing said predeterminedconnection destination to receive said connection request from saidconnection source in order to judge whether said connection source is apredetermined connection source or not upon interpreting said connectionrequest; if said connection source is judged to be a predeterminedconnection source by said judging means, then granting connectionpermission to said connection source; and connecting said connectionsource to said predetermined connection destination.
 12. Acomputer-readable program storage medium according to claim 11, whereinsaid program further comprises a connecting function for connecting saidconnection source to said connection destination without intervention ofan Internet service provider being contracted.
 13. A computer-readableprogram storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said programfurther comprises a connecting function whereby said connection requestis deemed to constitute a request for connection to an Internet serviceprovider as well as a request for connection to said connectiondestination.
 14. A computer-readable program storage medium according toclaim 11, wherein said program further comprises a connecting functionwhereby said connection source is deemed to be a printer.
 15. Acomputer-readable program storage medium according to claim 14, whereinsaid program further comprises a connecting function for connecting saidprinter to said predetermined connection destination using a triggersignal issued upon initial power-up.